JP6906056B2 - Automated warehouse system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automated warehouse system. More specifically, in the present invention, a storage block is provided, at least one cross passage extending through the storage block is provided in each storage block, and a plurality of storage passages branching from the cross passage are provided. In an automated warehouse system, the storage block is installed in at least one master vehicle traveling in the cross passage of the storage block in each storage block, and in the storage passage provided from end to end in the parallel storage block. It relates to an automated warehouse system with one or more relocated vehicles traveling across.

To maximize the warehouse capacity, increase the storage density and load as high as possible. In such a warehouse, the storage positions are adjacent to each other, and the stored products are generally placed on the upper part of the pallet in the storage position. These pallets are generally moved to and from storage positions by stacker cranes and conveyors, which are various transfer vehicles. Generally, the term automated warehouse is used to connect a conveyor to an automated controller. The control of the warehouse and its equipment is automatic and obtains data on where the storage location is and where the goods are located throughout the period. For example, goods are brought from the manufacturing site to the warehouse and loaded from the warehouse to the means of transportation.

In the automated warehouse of the present invention, a stacker crane is used between the shelves. Each layer has a crossing passage, through which at least one parent car runs. Correspondingly, there is a transfer car (transfer car) in each storage aisle where the storage position is located. Use the relocation car to move the pallets from the storage position to the parent car. Since the parent vehicle and the relocated vehicle travel independently of each other, multiple pallets can be brought into the warehouse with a single operation. Therefore, the operation efficiency is improved and the handling capacity is increased. The parent vehicle and the relocated vehicle travel on the corresponding passages. The number of relocated vehicles in the warehouse will increase, and the installation cost of the warehouse and the operating cost of the warehouse will increase.

An object of the present invention is to construct a new automated warehouse system whose cost is lower than before and whose management is more comprehensive. The features of the system of the present invention are as described in the claims. In the system of the present invention, various components are used, and by using these in combination, the efficiency can be surprisingly improved, and the cost can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional one.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing one embodiment of the present invention.
It is the schematic which shows the system of this invention together with the component. It is a figure which shows one application example of the system of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an automated warehouse system of the present invention. As a whole, storage blocks will be installed in the automated warehouse. FIG. 1 is a top view showing one accommodation block. FIG. 1 also shows a set of coordinates consisting of columns a to g and rows 1 to 16. Several storage blocks are stacked one above the other on the shelves. Each containment block is provided with at least one crossing passage 10 and several accommodation passages 11. FIG. 1 shows one crossing passage 10 and dozens of accommodation passages on both sides of the passage 10. The system of the present invention has at least one master vehicle 12 (rectangular portion indicated by a vertical line) traveling in the cross passage 10 and a transfer vehicle 13 (rectangular portion indicated by two diagonal lines) traveling in one or more storage passages 11. .. Further, the system of the present invention has at least one shuttle portion 14 (rectangular portion indicated by an oblique line) traveling in the storage passage 11. Since there is a shuttle section, a considerable number of storage passages can be secured without using the transfer vehicle section. In fact, the shuttle section can run a pallet such as a relocated vehicle, but the shuttle section can use any storage passage. Therefore, the operation and management of the warehouse can be carried out more comprehensively.

More specifically, a storage block 16 is provided in the automated warehouse system, and at least one cross passage 10 penetrating the storage block 16 is provided in each storage block 16. This crossing passage penetrates the storage block. That is, it penetrates from the edge of the storage block to the edge. Further, a plurality of storage passages 11 branching from the cross passage 10 are provided in the storage block. Further, the system of the present invention has at least one master vehicle 12 traveling in the cross passage 10 of the storage block 16 in each storage block 16. Further, the system of the present invention has one or more relocation vehicles 13 traveling across the storage block 16 in the storage aisle 11 extending from end to end in the parallel storage block 16. In practice, the storage aisle from end to end of the storage block forms an express truck or aisle that does not perform a storage operation. This basic structure corresponds to any storage aisle. Since the transfer vehicle travels on this express truck, an express transfer truck is formed between the storage blocks, preferably from the side to the side of the warehouse. Further, the transfer vehicle 13 of FIG. 2 can carry the goods into and out of the warehouse.

Further, in the case of the shuttle unit 14, the vehicle travels in the cross passage 10 in which the parent vehicle 12 travels. As shown in FIG. 1, the shuttle unit 14 is provided with the main vehicle 12, and although not shown, there is actually a pallet in a state where the product is placed on the upper part of the shuttle unit. At a specific point in the storage aisle, the shuttle section separates from the parent vehicle and brings the pallet to the storage position in the storage aisle. During this time, the parent vehicle performs other work, for example, transferring the pallet brought by the relocated vehicle 13 to the stacker crane 15, or taking out the pallet from the stacker crane 15 and loading it on the other relocated vehicle or the shuttle section. Inside the stacker crane is a cage that is lifted and lowered by a geared motor, which also moves the pallets and shuttles from one layer of the shelf to another. The pallets are transferred to the stacker crane with the goods by telescopic forks, conveyors or shuttles. In FIGS. 1 and 2, thick arrows are used to indicate loading and unloading of goods from the warehouse. Both arrows indicate the running of the parent vehicle, the relocated vehicle, and the shuttle section. In FIG. 1, the relocated vehicle 13 that has reached the crane 15 is far away from the truck.

The shuttle section is self-powered. Furthermore, it is a wireless data transfer method. In this case, the shuttle unit can work independently in different parts of the storage block. In addition, the shuttle can work within other blocks or on different layers of shelves. If it takes time to relocate, the shuttle unit is carried by the parent vehicle, but the pallet is relocated to the storage position by the shuttle unit itself. In other words, the shuttle actually moves the pallets to the storage aisle. That is, the pallet is moved to the storage position, or the pallet is recovered from the storage position. No constant power is input to the shuttle section. Instead, store the required power in a battery or capacitor. Regarding the charging of the shuttle section, the parent vehicle (condenser) is charged, or another charging point (battery) is charged. If there is a condenser in the shuttle, charge the parent car. In this case, the condenser of the shuttle section is charged while the parent vehicle is driving the shuttle section. Therefore, a separate charging point is not required, and the shuttle unit can be used at all times because it is charged once when it is supported by the parent vehicle. There is a runway in both the crossing passage and the storage passage, and the parent vehicle, the relocation vehicle, and the shuttle section can run on this passage. Because of this track, the pallets can be left in the storage aisle.

In the case of the system of the present invention, the parent vehicle is mechanical and its transfer device is outside the storage block. This master car is simpler to configure and lower in height than the electric master car itself. In addition, the parent vehicle can run without interruption. FIG. 1 shows a pendulum type master vehicle. The track is perpendicular to the storage passage in the crossing passage. For example, one master vehicle is used for each crossing passage, but a plurality of master vehicles may be used for the same crossing passage. In reality, the parent vehicle cannot enter the storage aisle, nor can it enter the crossing aisle of another storage block. The parent vehicle can run on the track or can be paused. The relocated vehicle is also mechanical, and the traveling device of the relocated vehicle is also outside the storage block. Both vehicles are, for example, cable-driven or toothed belt-driven and are driven by a motor connected to the main power supply. In reality, this motor, or more generally the operating device, is located outside the storage block, the warehouse. The power of the operating device is transmitted to the vehicle by some kind of power transmission element, for example a cable. Operating devices have different uses. For example, relocation vehicles generally require two motors, one for running and one for lifting the cover. The motor on the outside of the storage block does not take up space in the warehouse, can be easily driven and can be protected from the surroundings. At the same time, the configuration of the vehicle remains simple. Relocation vehicles are specifically responsible for pallet relocation and require continuous logistics, capacity and / or speed. Since the target storage aisle can be used as a buffer storage, the related transfer device can be operated as efficiently as possible.

Both the parent car and the relocated car are faster than the shuttle section and can run continuously. The traveling speed of the parent vehicle and the relocated vehicle is 3 to 5 m / s, while the traveling speed of the shuttle section remains less than 1 m / s. For this reason, the storage capacity is greatly increased, and at the same time, since the shuttle unit is used, the number of relocated vehicles can be significantly reduced, and the acquisition cost and operating cost of the storage space are significantly reduced. Since the relocated vehicle is generally placed in the accommodation passage, it is necessary to take a large capacity. Lifting that not only transfers the pallets from one device to another for the parent vehicle, the transfer vehicle, and the shuttle section, but also transfers the pallets from this device to the storage position, and transfers the pallets from the storage position to this device. Provide a means of relocation. The parent vehicle can run the shuttle section and the pallet independently or at the same time. In addition, the parent vehicle can receive pallets from the relocated vehicle and carry the pallets to the relocated vehicle. The number of shuttles varies depending on the storage space. The number of shuttles in the system of the present invention is at least one, preferably 1 to 10 with respect to the parent vehicle, and more preferably 3 to 5. The shuttle section, which is slower than the parent vehicle, takes time to drive and at the same time can efficiently use the capacity of the parent vehicle.

In the case of FIG. 2, the automated warehouse system has a plurality of, specifically three parallel storage blocks 16, which in common have a transfer vehicle 13. A long run can be secured in the warehouse, and the run becomes fast and efficient. At the same time, the distribution can be controlled more freely than before, and the number of conveyors outside the storage space can be minimized. Normally, the distribution is only on the left-hand edge of the warehouse, but by running the transfer vehicle 13 for a long time, the goods can be taken out from, for example, the upper right-hand corner. Although only the storage passage 11 is shown in FIG. 2, there is a shuttle section or a relocation vehicle in this passage. The main vehicle 12 travels in the cross passage 10. Actually, the shuttle unit is moved between various storage passages by the parent vehicle, and the pallet is moved to the storage position of the storage passage by the shuttle unit. In reality, the storage passage is formed by a relocated vehicle and a truck on which the shuttle section travels. When an order is placed for the pallet, the shuttle section removes the pallet from the storage position to the parent vehicle. Specifically, the shuttle section runs together with the parent vehicle. The relocation vehicle travels between parallel storage blocks, bringing pallets into the warehouse and unloading the pallets from the warehouse. The relocation vehicle travels on an express truck consisting of an end-to-end storage aisle, or on an aisle where goods are not stored. The integrated operation of the parent vehicle, the relocated vehicle and the shuttle section simplifies the structure of the system, reduces the number of relocated vehicles, and at the same time improves the operating efficiency of the system and makes the control more comprehensive.

10: Crossing passage 11: Storage passage 12: Parent car 13: Relocation car 14: Shuttle section 15: Stacker crane 16: Storage block

Claims (13)

A plurality of storage blocks (16) are provided, at least one cross passage (10) extending through the storage block (16) is provided in each storage block (16), and a plurality of cross passages (10) are branched. In an automated warehouse system provided with a storage passage (11), at least one parent vehicle (12) traveling in the cross passage (10) of the storage block (16) and the inside of the storage passage (11). In an automated warehouse system having at least one shuttle section (14) running
Further, one or more traveling across the storage block (16) on an express truck (11') composed of the storage passage (11) provided in the parallel storage block (16) from end to end. An automated warehouse system having a relocated vehicle (13), wherein the shuttle unit (14) travels in one of the storage passages (11) independently of any of the parent vehicles (12).
The system according to claim 1, wherein the shuttle unit (14) travels in a cross passage (10) in addition to the storage passage (11).
The system according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the shuttle unit (14) travels on the cross passage (10) during transportation by the parent vehicle (12).
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shuttle unit (14) is a self-propelled power type.
The system according to claim 4, wherein the shuttle unit (14) has a capacitor, and electricity is input to the master vehicle (12) to charge the vehicle.
The system according to claim 4, wherein the shuttle unit (14) has a battery and charges the battery at the charging point of the storage block (16).
The system according to claim 3, wherein the pallet is located above the shuttle unit (14) in a state where the pallet is being conveyed by the parent vehicle (12).
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which has 1 to 10 shuttle units (14) for each parent vehicle (12), preferably 3 to 5 shuttle units (14).
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the parent vehicle (12) is mechanical and the operating device belonging to the transfer device is outside the storage block (16).
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transfer vehicle (13) is mechanical and the operating device belonging to the transfer device is outside the storage block (16).
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the automated warehouse has a plurality of parallel storage blocks (16) having a transfer vehicle (13) in common.
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the storage passage (11) is in a transverse direction with respect to the cross passage (10).
One of claims 1 to 12, wherein the cross passage (10) and the storage passage (11) have a truck on which the parent vehicle (12), the transfer vehicle (13), and the shuttle unit (14) move. The system described in item 1.

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